Their policies for those who report sexual misconduct. The Defense Advisory Committee is tasked with bringing its recommendations to the secretary of defense and Armed Services committee of congress. This is an hour and a half. [inaudible conversations] before we continue with our next panel, id like miss garvin to have the mic for a moment. During the break i had an opportunity to speak a little more to miss stolberg and asked her about her service dog and she authorized me to say how much the service dog has aided in her recovery and how important the dog is. And she pays for the dog out of pocket and did not have access to that as part of her recovery in any formal way so i thought it was important for us to know na piece of information in light of how much its helped in her recovery. Thank you. Okay. Were now going to begin with the briefing of the department of defense and military services expedited transfer policies. We have quite the distinguished panel. The only person is ms. Massey, who is missing from our printed agenda. Have you determined how youre going to start . I think ill start briefly here and then well probably go on down the row, is that okay with folks . Okay, doctor, you have the mic. Greetings. Its very nice to be here and see you all again, thank you so much for talking about expedited transfers. We are to give you a little bit of context for how expedited transfers came up, in about 2011, the Sexual AssaultPrevention Response Program had been was about four or five years old and actually about six years old and we had had lots of conversations and a cadre of coordinators and victims out to the field and, a response system. What we were finding was that there were still some significant gaps in what we could do to support victims as they went through the military justice process, as well as the recovery process. So, one of the things that kind of sparked additional focus on this problem was a was the secretary, and he went and had a conversation with a number of members of congress in the fall of 2011 and he asked what else could we do to push the Program Forward and do to make a real difference. One of the first things that we were able to do was to create expedited transfers. We had heard that folks were coming forward. They were making reports of Sexual Assault. As you heard previously some were not able to move to a unit or get away from the individual that had sexual i assaulted them. And from a Clinical Psychology standpoint, i would tell you that the continued retraumatizization to being exposed to that person or people that impacted you in that horrific way prevents you from healing. It retards your healing process when youre continually retraumatized. And thats one of the things we thought with the process we could jump start it and at least give people a chance and as we were having conversation was not only victims, but also members on the hill, they thought that this was also a very important piece as well. So we largely came to the conclusion that this was a helpful approach. With me today is my senior policy advisor, diana and shes going to give you more details to the expedited transfer process. I wanted to say thank you so much for looking at this. We think this is one of the thingss been helpful for healing and its evolved a little bit over time since we kicked it off in 2012. Thank you very much for inviting us to speak today. I have been with the Sexual Assault prevention assault. Youll have to keep the mic i dont talk as loud as dr. Galbreath. Ill retell a little of the history and provide the dates to what dr. Galbreath re covered and get into the details of policy. The first transfer guidance was issued on may 6th by the then undersecretary stanley, dr. Stanley the services were required to issue him guidant following three criteria, that there was a presumption of transferring Sexual Assault victims if there was a credible report. Ensuring the transfer would not negatively impact the victims career and finally, authorizing an appeal to the first general or flag officer in the chain, is the if the first transfer is denied. Each of them may 31st by 2011. But as dr. Galbreath mentioned there was a lot of congressional interest, discussions between staff, our department, and the hill. So, consequently, addition policies, dodwide directive type memorandum, which is a temporary policy across the dod, this was issued on september 16th, and later incorporated into permanent dod instructions. That was when was updated march 20th, 2013. Congress passed its own version of the transfer policy mandate for fy 2012 and in that mandate it included 72hour time frame for making that decision on to approve or disapprove the expedited transfer and also the 72hour appeal process. And dr. Galbreath mentioned in january 18th a year i mean, a month after, the detail was issued and mba and a dod briefing at the pentagon, secretary panetta said it would provide victims more protection from possible harassment and removing those from the perpetrator. And ndas were for 2014 this time they added [inaudible] by authorizing transfer of the suspect. This is covered already in our dpn so we did not have to alter our policy. Let me turn to details of the all policy. So the intent behind the expedited transfer policy is not where the victim feels safe and not uncomfortable. Where the victim is in close proximity of the alleged perpetrator, perceived retaliation or wants to leave the low indication where the incident occurred and triggering memories. [inaudible] it is the victims choice and had to be initiated by a certain once submitted to the commander, the commander has the time and date because he has 72 hours or she has 72 hours to respond. The policy does establish presumption in favor of transferring the Service Member following a credible report and that credible report determination is made by the commander, with advice from the nci, military criminal investigation while reviewing the efforts available at the time. If theres no credible report found then the reasons for that decision must also be documented. There is a misconception as to the presumption though. The presumption is in favor of the transfer. Its not in favor of the exact location of the transfer. So the transfer could be permanent. It could be a temporary detail 90 days so the victim could recover. It could be inside the installation, or outside the installation. It could be to different barricks or duty location, night shift, instead of day shift and also the suspect could be transferred instead of the victim. The commander has a lot of flexibility based on the victims wishes and also necessity of the operational needs. If approved, the transfer order shall include the Service Members dependents if accompanied. The military spouse, and in most instances, different installations to 30 days and we saw should there are details and 76ers that go along especially with dependents or a military spouse. Again we mentioned already the commander must act within 72 hours. If the commander disapproves that expedited transfer its the victims choice, not automatic, the victims choice whether to appeal. If the victim wants to appeal that the first flag or in the chain to approve or disapprove. And [inaudible] a commander has an enumerated list to review and i believe all of you have a handout as it list. I want to point out three criteria that have to be reviewed. One of them is whether a transfer, temporary transfer would meet the Service Members needs and operational needs of the unit. Availability of positions within other units on the installation and the status of the impact of the investigation and after consultation with the ncios. And whether if they determine to go to Court Martial they have to return for that proceeding. In the handout number one, there are four additional areas of which Service Members have to be fully informed. One of them that i wanted to highlight to you is potential impact of the transfer or reassignment on the investigation and case position or initiation of other adverse action against the offender. Now, when the victim is transferred out, there is a warm hand off to the receiving commander. In the victim is still receiving Advocacy Services and the investigation or the Legal Proceedings are ongoing. Now the reason why this is done is to facilitate the investigation and services for the victim. So the commander will limit the information to objective facts about the victim care prevoided, status of the open investigation, and the status of ongoing legal readings. Handout number two that you have speaks to the commanders responsibility in the monthly Case Management. So for every adult special case unrestricted report there is a monthly Case Management group meeting. During that meeting which they review all Victim Services and also they discuss direct system coordination. All relevant parties come together, including advocates, health care, investigators, law enforcement, Legal Officers. And they have a discussion about the case. They discuss any challenges they experience, they discuss any allegations and retaliation not only against the victim, but against the Victim Advocate and responders or any members to the case. They also discuss expedited transfers, military protective orders, and any safety issues. Now, ncos conducting the case are the original location have to call into that month i meeting as the Legal Officers and provide updates on progress or challenges with the investigation to Installation Commander in an effort to facilitate any investigation issues. The case will stay on cmg agenda until all investigations and Legal Proceedings are complete and the victim declined Advocacy Services. In conclusion, its a program that favorably contributes to victims lives and recovery. Its very difficult for victims to come forward as our last survivor who spoke to us told us. This is always extremely challenging. Its amazing people ever come forward and tell of a horrific event that happens in their lives. The expedited transfer has opinion been mandated on two occasions and it provides support for victims of sexuality assault and removing them from the alleged perpetrator. Thank you, and ill be happy to answer any questions you have. Can we hold questions until the end . Thank you. Good afternoon, im paul rosen, from the navy, director of navy Sexual Assault prevention and branch. Ill talk specifically about the importance to navy of expedited transfer policy and process. In addition to it being the right thing to do, which is to support victims in any way that we can, its important for navy, for any sailor that suffered a trauma, particularly one of this nature to try to do anything we can to get them both personally and professionally well. And so that they can continue their career and continue to contribute to the service which hopefully they love and that we need them to do. We have found that the reasons that sailors request expedited transfers are as diana indicated, moving away from the subject of the report. We also find a lot people who require expedited transfer, for family and friends, specific support Services Located prior, maybe they were worldwide somewhere and needed to move for Additional Support services. The policy has been in place for several years and as you heard we completed in navy a review of our process to try to make sure its as good as it can be and theres probably some minors tweaks we make to that. One specific policy piece in navy that is a little bit different is that in the request process, its the request by the victim to make expedited transfer is not approved by the Commanding Officer with the navy, it automatically goes to the first flag officer. It doesnt require the victim to make another request and a 72 hour period when the first flag officer ultimately makes the decision to flturn it down r approve it. I want to thank you again inviting us to discuss this and look forward to any questions you may have. Miss reed. Ill dale reed i work at marine headquarters response, one of the policy specialists. Ive been with the program 2011 and i was on board when the policies were stood up and marine corps took on the task of expediting transfer process and have been supporting it since that time. When the marine corps looked at implementing the policy, im not going to reiterate, it was important for us to keep the victims needs in mind as well as to make sure that it was a seamless process for our marine corps transfers. We wanted the marine who was getting a he can expedited transfer to flow back into the normal process and not stand out any more than necessary. So we took it upon ourselves to work with our manpower management, together we built a process where headquarters marine corps serves as liaison, the victims advocates work with victims who submit their requests through and worked out at their location. It comes to the headquarter staff. We walk downstairs and we work with we hand the paper work to our manpower and that just flows into our regular transfer process. There are only certain people in the manpower management that work those expedited transfers so gep, so again, were doing our utmost that theyre not pointed out or registered in their world. And when theyre transferred it looks like just a transfer. That was important to us. We have been very successful and went through another review of our processes. They released another letter of review of instruction. We have included expedited transfer process in our precommand training with our commanders so they are getting from headquarters what that is it look like and their roles and responsibilities, whether they are receiving a victim, or whether they are losing a victim. Because there are things that they need to know on both sides of that equation. Our sarks are very supportive at the fleet level and we have support at Headquarters Level. Again, ill be more than happy to answer questions and thank you for this opportunity. Colonel. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Im colonel melanie prince and from the directed Violence Division at Headquarters Air force, thats isdv and its responsibility for the strategic guidance for five types of violence, one being Sexual Violence and its in the Sexual Violence branch that we have the Response Office. Ive been with the program for all of three months officially, although i have been engaged with the air force office for about a year. So, again, i wont, try not to be repetitive as my colleagues have already mentioned about you our expedited transfer program has policy, process and procedures that are codified primarily at the air force personnel assignment. The Sexual Assault prevention and response and the air force Family Advocacy program, so three areas where we have regulations. And the expedited transfer process was assigned to meet the needs of the victims following an unrestricted report of a Sexual Assault, while balancing Mission Requirements as assessed with the chain of command. Additionally, as part of a comprehensive and capabilities of victims and survivors other agencies play a Critical Role in the execution of the expedited program as relates to victim advocacy to include, but not limited to the special victims counsel, physical and Mental Health care from our medical agencies, rigorous investigation from the office of special investigations. Accountability via the military justice process, facilitated by the judge advocate generals for a legal agency. And Mission Effectiveness and Mission Continuity from our command Leadership Structure and aided by counsel from a majority of the response agents that ive listed. So very much a systemsbased approach. The result of an expedited program which has vertical and horizontal checks and balances. And the office assesses the expedited transfer Program Using feedback, survivor stories and record reviews to look for opportunities to improve the process. So, for example, the air force has focused on ensuring that we have the ability to transition victims to locations where the victims are supported and continue the healing process. When possible transfers are process to the victims Systems Recovery by moving to a location where no one knows about the Sexual Assault. And the commanders, youve already heard and the sark are aware of the arrival of that airman and based on feedback and reviews that weve done, this gets we ensure confidentiality is contained and allows the unit commander and the sark to have awareness and the ability to react appropriately in the event a victim requires Additional Services or support after arrival. So this policy change was published this very month through an air force Guidance Memorandum that went out to the field last week. And clear thing, the air force is committed to this orderly execution of expedited transfer policy for both victims and alleged offenders. We support Victim Recovery by offering expedited transfers of victims a